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The term “trading platform” refers to a piece of software that enables you to purchase and sell equities via an online broker. Trading platforms have made the world of trading accessible to everyone in the United Kingdom and throughout the world, regardless of their financial or technical skills.
So, whether you’ve got your eye on AstraZeneca stock or would want to own a piece of the Tesla pie, the Best online stock trading platform UK may be the perfect solution. It’s surprisingly simple to buy and sell stock online in the United Kingdom, but making a profit is more difficult. But, with a wealth of tools and features at your disposal on the best trading platforms in the UK, you’ll be well on your way to making a profit.
Furthermore, with fees that are significantly lower than those charged by a traditional broker, an increasing number of individuals, from beginners to seasoned traders, are opting for online trading platforms to help them on their investment journey.
A Best online stock trading platform in the UK for your specific needs is crucial and should not be left to chance. However, the sheer number of top investing stock apps in the UK may sometimes lead to a paralysis of choice, which can be frustrating. To make things easier for you, we’ve done all of the legwork for you, sifting through mountains of information to identify the Best online stock trading platform UK that meets your specific requirements as an investor.
Best Free Online Stock Trading Apps UK
In this section of our article, we will provide you Best Free online stock trading Apps UK which charges 0% commission on trading. So let’s check out!
1. eToro
Without question, we believe that eToro is the greatest stock trading software for beginners now accessible to investors in the United Kingdom (UK). However, even if you’re new to the world of investing, there’s a good chance that you’ve heard of the eToro brand before. It airs multiple commercials on British television and is also featured on billboards around Premier League football stadiums.
eToro is regarded as the greatest social trading platform and is the world-leading copy trading broker. It is perfect for beginners.
eToro characteristics include:
- Graph trading scenarios
- Trading in US dollars
- Social newsfeed with open trade conversations and alerts
- Valuable trading education
- Trader matches based on your demands and trading style
Commissions and other fees in eToro
EToro advertises zero per cent charges for trading, and although commissions are not paid, there are a few expenses that clients should be aware of before using the service.
The many sorts of supplementary fees are described in further detail below. It should be noted that eToro offers multiple account categories depending on the amount of money in the account, which makes traders eligible for fee savings and other benefits.
The currency of your deposit will be converted to USD at the time of deposit and will be reconverted to USD at the time of withdrawal if you are depositing in AUD, EUR, GBP, or RUB. There may be a difference in costs based on how you deposit money as well as which currency you are transferring funds in. Fees for currency conversions range from 50 pips to 250 pips, depending on the currency pair being converted.
Payment for withdrawals is made via eToro, which charges a flat $5 fee on all withdrawals. Therefore, the smallest amount that you may withdraw is $30.
Pros of eToro
- There are no commissions.
- The platform and mobile app are very user-friendly and functional.
- Strong copy trading option, with eToro being the industry leader in this area.
Cons of eToro
- There may be a greater variety of investments available.
- The research field falls short of the criteria set by the industry’s top researchers.
- Hidden costs lay behind the surface of the zero-commission headlines.
When it comes to the kind of assets you may trade, this popular UK stock app provides a plethora of options. Consider the fact that you can purchase or trade more than 1,700 equities from more than 17 different the UK and worldwide exchanges.
Aside from indices and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), you may also trade cryptocurrencies, foreign currency, and commodities. In terms of the latter, this includes oil, natural gas, gold, silver, and a variety of agricultural goods, among other things. However, what we really enjoy about the eToro app is that you may start trading stocks with as little as $50. This is due to the fact that it encourages fractional ownership.
Apps for mobile trading
The eToro mobile application is a convenient and quick method to trade stocks. You can easily go to certain markets, watchlists, and virtual trading without having to think about it. A sleek and contemporary interface distinguishes the eToro app from the interfaces of some of the more established brokers.
2. Alvexo
Alvexo, which was founded in 2014, has enjoyed tremendous development and today has a customer base that spans more than 100 nations worldwide. Some brokers provide a superior online trading experience, while others place a greater emphasis on investor education. Alvexo has managed to combine the best of both worlds in a single trading application. It is not difficult to see why the company’s customer base in the United Kingdom continues to increase!
So, what is it about Alvexo that makes it so special? Why is it considered to be one of the top trading applications in the United Kingdom?
It is possible to set up simple or extremely complicated transactions with the push of a button on our mobile platform, which is quick, secure, and versatile. Easy to use, and with a wealth of instructions and guidelines at your disposal, it won’t take long for you to get familiar with it.
Commission and Fees in Alvexo
With no commissions, cheap spreads, a wide selection of technical indicators, and access to a big research library, it is easy to understand why Alvexo has a rapidly expanding customer base in the United Kingdom (UK). This online broker, which is regarded as one of the top investing applications in the United Kingdom, is expected to grow in popularity.
Pros of Alvexo
- There is no commission.
- Competitive spreads
- A large educational library is available.
- Trading platform that is compatible with MT4 that is secure
- Start trading with as little as €500 to get your feet wet.
- There are a number of technical indications.
Cons of Alvexo
- You can only trade CFDs at this time.
3. Capital.com
Not sure where to begin if you want to trade CFDs on your smartphone but don’t know where to look? For one thing, Capital.com is a very user-friendly mobile trading application that is ideal for beginners with little or no trading experience. In addition, with a straightforward design, it is easy to identify the stocks in which you are interested in investing your time.
Capital.com, in addition to having a user-friendly website, enables you to open an account with a minimum deposit of just £20 to get you started. Because of this, those of you who are trading stocks in the United Kingdom for the first time will be able to do so without having to risk big sums of money. Take notice that in order to qualify for the £20 minimum, you must use a debit/credit card or an e-wallet issued in the United Kingdom.
For UK bank transfers, on the other hand, a far greater deposit of £250 would be demanded of the participant. Along with its minimal minimum deposit requirement, the Capital.com CFD trading app offers a fully functional demo account.
Capital.com provides a comprehensive collection of markets across a wide range of asset types.
Commissions and other fees in Capital.com
Capital.com does not charge any fees or charges for stock trading or investment trading transactions. We would then go on to point out the “hidden” expenditures, such as withdrawal and deposit fees, inactivity fees, or perhaps even the fact that the discrepancy between buying and sell prices is much larger than with rival brokerages, after making such a statement. In contrast, when it comes to a stock trading at Capital.com, this is not the case. There are no fees associated with deposits or withdrawals, and there is no inactivity fee associated with the account.
Additionally, the bid/offer spread is fairly competitive with market leaders, according to our tests.
Apps for mobile trading
Generally speaking, Capital.com offers one of the most user-friendly, albeit restricted, mobile experiences among the sites we tested.
Capital.com offers two trading apps: a stock trading app and a CFD trading app, both of which allow you to swap between different accounts from inside them. For the sake of this evaluation, we’ve concentrated on the stock trading application. Software for this purpose is available for download from both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
The Capital.com website also offers a standalone app, Investmate, which has instructional information.
Capital.com has a limited stock selection; there are over 1,000 equities available, but this is far from comprehensive, particularly when compared to industry giants such as Saxo and Hargreaves Lansdown. Capital.com also has a limited stock selection.
In addition, there is no ability to invest in or trade-in mutual funds or government securities. As a result, investors and traders hoping for a one-stop-shop for all of their financial requirements may be disappointed to discover that Capital.com falls short of their expectations.
Pros of Capital.com
- Spreads that are among the best in the industry
- There is no commission on any of the asset types.
- A wide range of currency pairings is available.
- Trading is available around the clock.
- A smartphone application that is simple.
- Deposits start at a little £20/$20 with FCA-regulated institutions.
Cons of Capital.com
- When utilising a bank account, a deposit of at least £250 is required.
4. IG
There is no better place to trade than IG Markets as far as tradeable markets go. It is possible to access over 17,000 markets via this UK trading business, which provides free stock applications for both iOS and Android devices. This comprises thousands of tradable equities from dozens of exchanges, all of which are available for purchase.
CFD instruments, which are used for trading equities, are available from IG if you want to trade stocks only. In fact, the platform has a variable commission structure in place, with the particular rate varying depending on whatever market you are currently trading in.
For example, you may trade equities in the United Kingdom for a rate of 0.10 per cent using the app. Given that IG has a £10 minimum, it is more probable that it will fit those of you who intend to trade higher sums of money. It is significantly more expensive to trade American equities than it is to trade European ones.
You may fund your account with a debit/credit card issued in the United Kingdom or a bank transfer. However, if you have an iPhone, you will be unable to fund your account other than via the main website. Additionally, iOS users will not be able to take advantage of mobile price notifications.
This is ideal for doing in-depth technical analysis and implementing sophisticated techniques. In conclusion, IG was founded in 1974 and is extensively regulated today. This entails, among many other things, a licence from the Financial Conduct Authority.
Commissions and other fees in IG
IG’s share dealing prices are among the most competitive available from any broker that offers ISA and SIPP accounts in the UK. The commission structure on IG marketplaces is straightforward. If there were 0-2 transactions conducted in the preceding month, the fee per trade (in shares) would be £8 per trade. If three or more deals are completed, the fee is reduced to £3 per transaction.
IG provides free trading on US stocks to traders who have made three or more transactions in the preceding month, with the minimum trade amount being $25. For stocks in the United States, the charge would be £10 if no more than two transactions were executed in the previous month.
Pros of IG
- trusted broker with a long-standing reputation for excellence
- More than 17,000 markets are listed, with more than 90 different currency pairings available.
- Additionally, leverage and short-selling are accessible.
- There are no commissions charged on FX trading.
- Having access to a plethora of foreign marketplaces
- The research section is excellent.
Cons of IG
- A deposit of at least £250 is required.
- A $15 minimum commission is charged on US stocks.
Apps for mobile trading
Many of the features accessible on the main trading platform are available on IG’s trading app, which is designed to be user-friendly.
Watch lists, alerts, and other features may all be handled from the main app, which is also synced with the main platform. In terms of the simplicity with which drawing tools may be applied, the charting is surprisingly user-friendly, which adds actual value-added to the experience considering that it is being used on mobile.
5. FXCM
FXCM has a lengthy history in the financial markets, having first opened its doors in 1999 and launching its first product in 2000. The FCA and ASIC, both of which are highly regarded organisations in the financial services industry, also regulate FXCM in addition to these other organisations.
Despite the fact that FXCM is mainly a forex broker, they also provide some excellent stock trading choices. Users get access to 48 of the most popular stock CFDs available on the market, including Amazon, Tesla, and Apple, among others. During busy trading hours, FXCM’s trading cost is included in the spread, which keeps it competitive with rival brokers in terms of pricing. With the exception of these spreads, FXCM does not charge a monthly account fee, a deposit fee or a withdrawal fee.
One of the most tempting aspects of FXCM’s services is the large variety of trading platforms that are available. FXCM provides a proprietary trading application as well as complete support for MT4 and ZuluTrade. Trading Station, the FXCM mobile application, is very user-friendly and supports a wide range of order types. Furthermore, it is accessible for free on both iOS and Android devices, allowing users to trade on the move wherever they are.
Charges fees and commissions in FXCM
A standard account at FXCM has one pricing model, while an active trader account has a second pricing model. As a result, FXCM offers two pricing models for forex and CFD trading: one for standard accounts and one for active traders. When trading on the Standard account, FXCM enables you to purchase and sell currency pairs as well as CFDs without having to pay any commission fees.
The EUR/USD spread is indicated as 1.3 pips on this trading account, which is somewhat more than the industry average but still highly competitive in comparison to other trading platforms. For active traders who want to trade on the ActiveTrader account, the spread on the EUR/USD will be 0.02 pip, with a fee of $25 for every 10 standard lots traded.
Fees that are not associated with trading
We discovered in our FXCM review that the app does not charge any deposit or withdrawal fees, nor does it charge any account management costs when it comes to financing expenses. However, if you are inactive for more than one year, the company will charge you a £50 per year cost.
User Interface of the FXCM App
FXCM provides two mobile trading applications. If you are a first-time investor, you will find the Trading Station to be very user-friendly. The Trading Station programme is straightforward, and it was created with new traders in mind. It is intended for those seeking simplicity. The learning curve is reduced for novices as a result of this, and you’ll most likely find yourself utilising it without any difficulty.
An in-built basic charting package, as well as some of the most fundamental trading elements that a trader could possibly want, are included in the programme. When you first launch the programme, you’ll be presented with a screen displaying instrument quotes. Then, if you wish to learn more about the instrument or make an order, click on it, and you’ll be sent to the instrument’s website.
Pros of FXCM
- Over 22 years of expertise in the business
- The parent business is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
- There are several trading systems available.
- Support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and ZuluTrade
- Spreads that are too narrow
Cons of FXCM
- mostly directed at foreign exchange merchants.
6. Trading 212
Trading 212, like eToro, has a mobile trading software that includes all of the functionality of the desktop platform as well as the ability to trade all markets commission-free. You will not be charged any share dealing costs when purchasing and selling shares, and you will not be charged any commissions when trading stocks as a result of this. In terms of the former, you may use the app to acquire over 4,000 equities and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
This includes a number of exchanges in the United Kingdom and abroad. Trading 212, in addition to being a fee-free stock trading programme, is a terrific choice if you are new to the stock trading industry. For example, you may use its sample account capability without even having to register an account – much alone deposit dollars – in order to test its functionality.
In addition, the Trading 212 stock app is popular among first-time investors. This is due to the fact that the programme is simple to use and allows for fractional ownership. This implies that you may start investing in your selected company with as little as £1.
Additionally, Trading 212 provides a full-featured CFD trading platform for its customers. This implies that you will be able to trade stocks, indices, currency, commodities, and cryptocurrencies all from inside the app itself. Furthermore, it is possible to short sell and trade with leverage on any CFD products. In other words, you will be able to make stock market investments in a risk-free and secure atmosphere.
Fees and Commissions in Trading 212
The results of our extensive research, which included examining hundreds of stock applications available on the market, revealed Trading 212 to be among the most cost-effective solutions available. The most important feature is that the programme enables you to purchase and sell stocks without having to pay any fees. This is also true for exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Trading 212 gives some information about its top rivals in the United Kingdom in order to demonstrate exactly how competitive the market is. For example, Hargreaves Lansdown and Halifax charge up to £11.95 and £12.50 per deal, respectively, when it comes to foreign exchange.
Even after accounting for the lower commission rates given by both brokers for higher volume transactions, 50 stock trades over the course of a year will cost you £297.50 and £625 in commission, respectively. There are no fees associated with using the Trading 212 stock app, resulting in savings of hundreds of pounds each year for users. In line with other major stock applications such as eToro, which also provides commission-free trading, this is a positive development.
The Trading 212 App’s User Interface
In a word, the Trading 212 stock app provides a simple and straightforward user interface. The app features a white backdrop that is both clean and sharp, and everything is presented clearly. This guarantees that your trading experience is not hampered by the use of a smaller display screen. This process begins right away with the account opening process, which is described above. When utilising the app, depositing and withdrawing cash is also a smooth process.
Pros of Trading 212
- 0 per cent fee on all asset types – including FX – and no minimum deposit requirement.
- Excellent ratings and reviews in Google Play and Apple Stores, respectively.
- More than 500,000 dependable customers
Cons of Trading 212
- Still relatively unknown in the United Kingdom’s market environment, Limited fundamental analytical tools.
7. Fineco
Fineco is a favourite among experienced traders, owing to the platform’s excellent reputation within the trading community. Furthermore, Fineco Bank is a publicly-traded company on the Italian Stock Exchange and is licenced to conduct banking operations.
The company’s continental European presence gives good access to shares in consumer non-cyclical with stable balance sheets, substantial dividend yields, and low volatility due to the company’s continental European footprint.
Such businesses are common throughout Europe, and Goldman Sachs analysts have dubbed them the GRANOLAS as a result of their cumulative influence. GlaxoSmithKline, Roche Holding, ASML, Nestlé, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, L’Oréal, LVMH, AstraZeneca, SAP, and Sanofi are some of the companies on the list.
The bank, which is a constituent of the blue-chip FTSE MIB index, has been involved in the brokerage business for more than two decades. The bank, which Unicredit owns, has 1.3 million clients in Italy.
Charges fees and commissions in Fineco
Fineco’s fees and charges are competitive and transparent throughout its whole range of goods and services.
Because you are not purchasing the underlying product, purchasing CFDs is less expensive upfront.
- Spreads
Spreads vary depending on the instrument. The fact that there are no hidden charges in the spread or commission to pay on CFDs is promoted as a significant selling feature by Fineco, which is not unexpected given the company’s background.
- Trading in Contracts for Difference (CFDs)
When you trade CFDs on Fineco, you just pay the spread, which may be as little as 0.4 pips for the S& P 500 index and as high as 0.6 pips for the FTSE 100 index.
It is important to note the difference in cost between trading CFD products such as stocks and indices and dealing directly with inequities. For example, while trading UK shares on the London Stock Exchange costs £2.95 for every transaction, opting for the CFD version costs you nothing since the fee is 0 per cent.
- Fees for services other than trading
One of Fineco’s major selling points is that it charges the very minimum in terms of those deceptive non-trading fees.
For CFD traders, this is particularly important since overnight fees may be a substantial cost concern when keeping positions open between trading sessions.
The Fineco App’s User Interface
It took a few days for the authorisation process to be finished and the account to be ready to trade the instruments in order to fulfil this component of our Fineco Bank app review.
The process of creating an account is time-consuming and might be improved. When downloading and installing the app, the user is not informed that it would be required to create and maintain an account on the website, as well as to get separate authorisations for different services prior to using the application.
Pros of Fineco
- The FCA is in charge of this.
- A fee structure that is clear and understandable
- There are no non-trading costs.
- There is no minimum deposit required.
Cons of Fineco
- Flat fees might be quite expensive.
Best Online Stock Trading Dekstop Platform Apps UK
1. AvaTrade
In addition to being a forex and CFD broker application, AvaTrade is a privately owned corporation that has operated online since its inception in 2006. Despite having its headquarters in Dublin, AvaTrade maintains a large number of offices around Europe and Asia. In order to empower individuals through trading and investing, they want to glorify the notion of improving the economy by making single-minded decisions in the process.
A variety of trading instruments are available via this brand, including forex, stocks, cryptocurrency, and commodities. You may use the programme using a variety of device types such as a computer, tablet, or mobile phone.
Features
In order to educate more traders on the significance of investing in forex and CFD trading, AvaTrade, a worldwide investor, is seeking to expand its reach. Investors who are new to the market or who have little funds can consider using this programme to enhance their trading abilities and knowledge.
Furthermore, new accounts may be started with just a little and insignificant sum of money. What’s more, any account, regardless of the jurisdiction it is located in, is protected from having a negative balance if it falls into that category. Customers of Ava Trade may make use of the advantages of social and copy trading via the use of Ava Social or Zulu Trade.
Charges fees and commissions in AvaTrade
As a result, brokers do not need commission trading, which implies that the programme produces revenue when the ask/bid price is above a certain threshold. Experienced traders may be eligible to establish a professional account, in which a large amount may raise the maximum leverage.
Customer service is really important
The accessibility of AvaTrade’s customer care service is well-known across the industry. Customer service experts are available at all hours of the day, which means they can be reached at any moment of the day. Simply construct your inquiry and get in touch with the agents to get the ball rolling.
Pros of AvaTrade
- For stock trading, there are more than 1250 different financial products accessible.
- The accounts are safeguarded against having a negative balance.
- Ava Social and Zulu Trade are two platforms that allow both social and copy trading.
- An astonishing number of instructional resources are available.
- Beginners might benefit from well-organised lessons.
- Customer service that is second to none
Cons of AvaTrade
- The FCA has not authorised this product.
- It is not free to open a bank account.
2. Pepperstone
If you are a new trader and want to get your feet wet with the fundamentals, Pepperstone may be a good option for you. The MetaTrader 4 mobile platform is available via the Australian broker—this is the ancestor of all trading applications. It is still one of the most widely used pieces of software on the market.
But it is, without a doubt, the most user-friendly and straightforward software available in the UK broker industry.
A good search feature and various other alert kinds are included in the programme, which is accessible in 22 languages. This eliminates the need for you to constantly check your phone to keep track of your assets throughout the day.
If the restricted capability of the industry-standard MT4 doesn’t match your skillset, don’t fret, there are two more current alternatives to consider instead. Firstly, there is MetaTrader 5, which is essentially the same as the previous version but is quicker and has greater capability all-around.
Except for the fact that it has a highly user-friendly interface, Pepperstone features some of the most competitive pricing you’ll find anywhere, as well as excellent instructional tools.
Pros of Pepperstone
- It is quite simple to use.
- There are many applications.
- For newcomers, low pricing and high-quality education are ideal.
Cons of Pepperstone
- MT4 is out of date in a number of ways.
- There will be no two-factor authentication.
3. Saxo Markets
Residents of the United Kingdom may benefit from an exceptional share dealing experience provided by Saxo Markets, which combines the great SaxoTraderGO trading platform with over 30,000 foreign products available for trading across 40 worldwide exchanges.
Saxo goes above and above the standard research experience provided by most U.K.-based brokers, giving research via the SaxoTraderGO platform and on its website in a Trade Inspiration area, among other places. SaxoTraderGO quotes often contain a chart, news, general business information, analyst recommendations, and fundamental data, among other elements.
Commissions and other fees in Saxo Markets
Only traders with a substantial enough balance to attain Platinum or VIP level at Saxo Bank may take advantage of the competitive commissions on offer. By contrast, the basic £8 minimum for each transaction is much higher when compared to the minimums of other trading platforms.
Saxo Bank provides three different kinds of accounts: Classic, Platinum, and VIP. For the sake of simplicity, we concentrated on the Classic account, which needs just a £500 minimum deposit and serves as the foundation account type at Saxo. Platinum accounts demand a deposit of £200,000, whilst VIP accounts require a deposit of £1,000,000; both accounts come with reduced trades.
About free trade availability in the UK – What’s this all about?
A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom is expected to be signed by both parties by March 2022, with the negotiations set to begin on November 1, 2020. In addition, both parties agreed to an Early Harvest Agreement by March 20, 2022, which will allow both parties to achieve selective gains in commodities and services.
As for the United Kingdom, the signing of an FTA with India is critical to the country’s post-Brexit strategy because India is an emerging market with a significant economy and a steadily increasing growth rate, as well as extensive historical, cultural, and diaspora ties with the country, making this partnership attractive. Furthermore, it is anticipated that India’s perception of trade agreements will change as a result of the Early Harvest deals and that India’s international standing will rise in the upcoming decade, not only as a viable alternative market to China but also as a strategic and growth-promoting economy in the world’s fastest-growing region.
Wrapping Up
eToro is also incredibly excellent for trade-mirroring (using the proprietary CopyTrader technology), which allows you to imitate the trading patterns of a more experienced user.
We hope that our guide on the Best online stock trading apps UK will help you to choose your trading platform according to your requirements.
